Methods and apparatus for optimizing paging mechanisms and publication of dynamic paging mechanisms

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus enabling a wireless network to dynamically change or implement paging mode operation, such as optimization based on one or more network parameters. In one embodiment, the wireless network is a cellular network (e.g., 3G UMTS or LTE), and both base stations and cellular user devices dynamically configure the paging mode operation based on various desired operational attributes relating to the network parameters. Such flexible paging mechanisms may be published to the network users via several methods, and users with appropriately enabled user devices may improve their power and applications performance. Base stations may also advantageously reclaim freed-up cellular resources to support other services. Legacy subscribers are also not affected.

COPYRIGHT

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of wirelesscommunication and data networks. More particularly, in one exemplaryaspect, the present invention is directed to methods and apparatus forflexible paging transmission modes in a wireless communication and datanetwork.

2. Description of Related Technology

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is an exemplaryimplementation of a “third-generation” or “3G” cellular telephonetechnology. The UMTS standard is specified by a collaborative bodyreferred to as the 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The3GPP has adopted UMTS as a 3G cellular radio system targeted for interalia European markets, in response to requirements set forth by theInternational Telecommunications Union (ITU). The ITU standardizes andregulates international radio and telecommunications. Enhancements toUMTS will support fixture evolution to fourth generation (4G)technology.

A current topic of interest is the further development of UMTS towards amobile radio communication system optimized for packet data transmissionthrough improved system capacity and spectral efficiency. In the contextof 3GPP, the activities in this regard are summarized under the generalterm “LTE” (for Long Term Evolution). The aim is, among others, toincrease the maximum net transmission rate significantly in the future,namely to speeds on the order of 300 Mbps in the downlink transmissiondirection and 75 Mbps in the uplink transmission direction.

Further advancements of 3GPP are being investigated within LTE towardsan IMT-Advanced radio interface technology, referred to as“LTE-Advanced” or “LTE-A”. Details regarding scope and objectives of theLTE-Advanced study are described at, inter alia; RP-080137 entitled“Further advancements for E-UTRA (LTE-Advanced)” to NTT DoCoMo et al.,the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. The NT-Advanced activities have been commenced and are guidedby ITU-R (International Telecommunications Union Radio CommunicationSector). Key features to be supported by candidate IMT-Advanced systemshave been set by ITU-R and include amongst others: (1) high qualitymobile services; (2) worldwide roaming capability; and (3) peak datarates of one hundred (100) Mbps for high mobility environments, and ofone (1) Gbps for low mobility environments.

The current discussions in 3GPP related to LTE-A are focused on thetechnologies to Wrher evolve LTE in terms of spectral efficiency, celledge throughput, coverage and latency based on the requirements in 3GPPTS 36.913: “Requirements for further advancements for E-UTRA(LTE-Advanced)”, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Candidate technologies include (1) multi-hopRelay; (2) downlink network Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)antenna technologies; (3) support for bandwidths greater than twenty MHzby spectrum aggregation; (4) flexible spectrum usage/spectrum sharing;and (5) intercell interference management. Backward compatibility withlegacy LTE networks is also an important requirement for future LTE-Anetworks, i.e. an LTE-A network also supports LTE UEs, and an LTE-A UEcan operate in an LTE network.

Prior Art Paging Mechanisms

Paging mechanisms are used in many prior art cellular mobile radiocommunication systems such as UMTS. Paging mechanisms allow a UE tominimize power consumption by operating in a reduced or “idle” statewhile unused. Once a UE receives a paging notification, it “wakes up” torespond. Various approaches to paging management within wireless systemsare evidenced in the prior art. For example, some paging systemsinefficiently transmit paging messages over the entire cell bandwidth infrequency-domain systems. Alternately, time-domain systems may reserveentire time slots for paging processes.

Accordingly, a suitable paging mechanism is needed which specificallyaddresses networks having fragmented multi-band operationalcapabilities, and flexible resourcing. Such an improved solution shouldoperate seamlessly and without adversely impacting user experience onexisting radio apparatus, and that of other wireless devices.

Moreover, in certain systems (e.g. LTE), the RF capabilities of UEs maydiffer from the overall capabilities of the servicing base station. Inother systems, a population of legacy UEs may have differentcapabilities than newer UEs. In either case, a flexible paging mechanismis needed to take into account limited RF TX/RX (Transmission/Reception)capabilities of a population of UEs.

Improved apparatus and methods for paging mechanisms specificallyaddressing the complexities of the new LTE-Advanced architecture areneeded. The LTE-Advanced system architecture combines fragmentedmultiband capabilities, OFDM access, and mixed populations of legacy andnewer UEs. Existing mechanisms for paging within this architecture areless than optimal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the aforementioned needs by providingimproved apparatus and methods for paging in a wireless network. In oneaspect of the invention, a method of providing paging channel access fora wireless network is disclosed. In one embodiment, the network is acellular network, and the paging channel access is optimized for one ormore network parameters. The method involves: allocating one or moreresources for paging channel access based at least in part on the one ormore network parameters; providing a schedule for paging channel accessto a plurality of user devices, the schedule identifying the allocatedone or more resources; and transmitting the schedule. This transmissionenables at least one of the user devices to configure its modern toreceive the allocated one or more resources.

In one variant, providing the schedule includes broadcasting theschedule via a common control channel.

In another variant, the schedule is particularly addressed to only asubset of the plurality of user devices.

In yet another variant, the act of allocating one or more resourcesincludes limiting paging channel access to only one of: (i) atransmission time, (ii) a frequency band, or (iii) a spreading code.

In a further variant, allocating one or more resources includes limitingpaging channel access to at least one of: (i) a transmission time, (ii)a frequency band, or (iii) a spreading code.

In still another variant, the network parameters comprise at least oneof: (i) total cell bandwidth, (ii) level of bandwidth fragmentation, and(iii) one or more characteristics of the plurality of user devices. Thecellular network is an LTE-compliant cellular network, and providing theschedule includes broadcasting the schedule via a broadcast message.

In a second aspect of the invention, a method of receiving one or morepaging channel configurations by a user of a wireless network isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the wireless network is a cellularnetwork, and the method includes: receiving the first message at a userdevice; extracting a paging schedule from the first message; configuringa modem interface of the user device to receive one or more pagingchannel notifications based at least in part on the schedule; andresponsive to receiving a paging channel notification, determining ifthe received paging channel notification is for the user.

In one variant, the paging schedule is received over a dedicated controlchannel.

In another variant, the schedule is particularly addressed to only asubset of user devices in the network.

In yet another variant, the method is optimized for at least one of: (i)total cell bandwidth, (ii) level of bandwidth fragmentation, and (iii)one or more characteristics of the plurality of user devices.

In a further variant, configuring of the modem interface includesupdating an internal schedule identifying one or more times and one ormore frequency bands available for discontinuous reception (DRX).

In a third aspect of the invention, wireless base station apparatus isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: a digitalprocessor; a wireless interface in data communication with theprocessor; and a storage device in data communication with theprocessor, the storage device comprising computer-executableinstructions. When executed by the digital processor, the instructions:determine a mode for paging channel transmissions based at least in parton one or more wireless network parameters; transmit informationrelating to the mode via the wireless interface; and transmit the pagingchannel transmission via the wireless interface based on the mode.

In one variant, the wireless network is a cellular network, and the oneor more wireless network parameters comprise at least one of: (i) totalcellular cell bandwidth, (ii) level of bandwidth fragmentation, and(iii) one or more characteristics of a plurality of user devicesassociated with the network. Transmission of the information relating tothe mode includes for example transmission of the information addressedto only a subset (e.g., just one) of the plurality of user devices via acellular common control channel.

In another variant, the one or more wireless network parameters compriseat least Radio Resource Connection (RRC) state.

In a further variant, the apparatus is an LTE-compliant macrocell basestation.

In yet another variant, the information relating to the mode includes:information regarding a carrier frequency on which the pagingtransmission is to be transmitted; timing data according to which apaging identifier and a paging message are to be transmitted; andinformation relating to a bandwidth size of one or more channels onwhich a user device of the network may receive the paging identifier andpaging message. The information relating to the mode may include otherinformation as well; e.g., Radio Resource Connection (RRC) stateinformation.

In another variant, the one or more channels comprise a PhysicalDownlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and a Physical Downlink Shared Channel(PDSCH), and the paging identifier and paging message are to betransmitted on the PDCCH and the PDSCH, respectively.

In still another variant, the determination of a mode for paging channeltransmissions based at least in part on one or more wireless networkparameters includes selecting one of a plurality of different modes, theplurality of modes being substantially non-overlapping in time andfrequency with respect to one another.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, wireless receiver apparatus isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: a digitalprocessor; a wireless interface in data communication with the digitalprocessor; and a storage device in data communication with theprocessor, the storage device comprising at least one computer program.When run on the processor, the program: receives a schedule for pagingchannel transmissions; configures the wireless interface to receive oneor more paging channel notifications based at least in part on thereceived schedule; and responsive to receiving a paging channelnotification, determines if the first paging channel notification isaddressed to the receiver apparatus.

In one variant, the schedule is received via an interface different thanthe wireless interface; e.g., a transceiver within the apparatus adaptedto receive wireless signals according to a protocol different than thatassociated with the wireless interface.

In another variant, the wireless receiver apparatus includes asubstantially mobile cellular smartphone having a multi-touch screenuser interface.

In a further variant, the configuration of the wireless interfaceincludes updating an internal schedule identifying one or more times andone or more frequency bands available for discontinuous reception (DRX).

In a fifth aspect of the invention, computer readable apparatus having astorage medium is disclosed. In one embodiment, the medium includes aplurality of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by adigital processor: determine a schedule for paging channel transmissionsbased at least in part on one or more wireless network parameters; causetransmission of the schedule via a wireless interface associated with ahost device on which the instructions are executed; and causetransmission of the paging channel via the wireless interface based onthe schedule.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, a method of doing business withrespect to a cellular network is disclosed. In one embodiment, themethod includes: distributing a base station adapted for ad hocdeployment within the network to a user of the network; and causing thebase station to configure one or more paging mechanisms so as tominimally disrupt existing paging mechanisms associated with at leastone other base station within the network.

In one variant, the configuration of one or more paging mechanisms so asto minimally disrupt existing paging mechanisms associated with at leastone other base station includes configuring the distributed base stationto operate substantially within unused or underutilized portions offrequency spectrum allocated to the network and used by the at least oneother base station.

In another variant, the distributed base station is a femtocell, and theat least one other base station is a fixed macrocell base station.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, a system for wirelesscommunication is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system is part of acellular network and includes a wireless base station and user equipment(UE), the base station being configured to determine an optimized pagingmode and schedule, and transmit this information to the UE so that thelatter can make use of the mode according to the schedule.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will immediatelybe recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art with reference tothe attached drawings and detailed description of exemplary embodimentsas given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is time and frequency plot of a typical prior art Time DivisionMultiple Access (TDMA) implementation.

FIG. 1B is time and frequency plot of a typical prior art FrequencyDivision Multiple Access FDMA) implementation.

FIG. 1C is time and frequency plot of a typical prior art Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA) implementation.

FIG. 1D is time and frequency plot of a typical prior art OrthogonalFrequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) implementation used incombination with TDM.

FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of various prior art duplex methodsincluding full-duplex FDD, half-duplex FDD and TDD.

FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of an exemplary frame structuretype for a prior art LTE FDD system.

FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of prior art UMTS paging mechanismtiming.

FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of a prior art LTE two-phase pagingmechanism timing.

FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of one exemplary schedule of timeand paging resources for a prior art LTE two-phase paging mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a logical flow diagram of one exemplary embodiment of thegeneralized paging configuration process for base stations (BS) inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 7A is a logical flow diagram of one specific implementation of thegeneralized method of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a logical flow diagram of one exemplary embodiment of thegeneralized paging configuration process for a client device (e.g., UE)in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 8A is a logical flow diagram of one specific implementation of thegeneralized method of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of abase station apparatus adapted to implement the methods of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of aclient device (e.g., UE) adapted to implement the methods of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a graphical illustration of an exemplary OFDMA cellalarsystem implementing 3GPP LTE technology in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a graphical illustration of an exemplary 3GPP LTE networkinfrastructure adapted to operate in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 13 is a graphical illustration of an exemplary Radio ResourceControl (RRC) finite state machine in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 14 is a graphical representation of one exemplary distribution offrequency band resources for use with the 3GPP LTE networkinfrastructure embodiment of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a graphical representation of one exemplary distribution oftime slot resources for use with the 3GPP LTE network infrastructureembodiment of FIG. 11.

FIG. 16 is a graphical representation of one exemplary schedule of timeand paging resources for use with the 3 GPP LTE network infrastructureembodiment of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer tolike parts throughout.

Overview

In one aspect, the present invention discloses methods and apparatus formodifying wireless paging channel operation, based at least in part onone or more network parameters. This feature allows for example basestations to adjust bandwidth used for paging operations in order tocompensate for (or target) various network constraints. Complementaryfeatures are disclosed enabling the distribution of paging channeloperational parameters to user equipment (UE), and other networkentities if desired. Such methods and apparatus are particularly usefulfor addressing the management of paging capabilities within networkshaving fragmented multi-band operational capabilities, and flexibleresource allocation/utilization.

In one embodiment, methods and apparatus are disclosed wherein networkparameters such as total cell bandwidth and bandwidth fragmentation, areevaluated by the base station to determine one or more pagingtransmission modes. In another embodiment, UE considerations such as UEcapabilities, and outstanding RRC connections, may be considered.

In another aspect of the invention, methods and apparatus are disclosedwherein paging transmission modes specifying one or more pagingconfigurations are signaled to the UE. In one embodiment, such pagingtransmission modes are broadcast within the cells via systeminformation. In an alternative embodiment, such paging transmissionmodes are transmitted via a dedicated message (such as for example anRRC message). Additionally, provisions are disclosed for handling ofasymmetric capabilities of UE populations.

In yet another aspect of the invention, methods and apparatus aredisclosed wherein user equipment (UE) may configure one or more radioelements, based at least in part on a received paging configuration. Inone such embodiment, a plurality of paging configurations arepre-defined within the user equipment, such that the user equipmentselects (or is directed to select by proxy) one pre-definedconfiguration responsive to the receipt of a paging configurationindication.

In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of paging configurations aremodifiable within the user equipment, such that the user equipmentdynamically sets one or more paging configurations responsive to thereceipt of the paging configuration settings.

Exemplary apparatus and methods for flexible paging mechanisms for usewithin an LTE-Advanced architecture are also disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described indetail. While these embodiments are primarily discussed in the contextof a UMTS wireless network, and more specifically in one variant tofourth generation (“4G”) UMTS LTE and LTE-A networks, it will berecognized by those of ordinary skill that the present invention is notso limited. In fact, the various aspects of the invention are useful inany wireless network (whether cellular or otherwise) that can benefitfrom the configurable paging mechanisms described herein. For instance,the paging methodologies utilized within the WiMAX technology (see interalia IEEE Std. 802.16e dated 28 Feb. 2006 an entitled “IEEE Standard forLocal and metropolitan area networks—Part 16: Air Interface for Fixedand Mobile Broadband Wireless Access Systems—Amendment 2: Physical andMedium Access Control Layers for Combined Fixed and Mobile Operation inLicensed Bands and Corrigendum 1”), which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety, may be readily adapted according to themethods described herein to facilitate enhanced paging capabilities.

In the following discussion, a cellular radio system comprises a networkof radio cells each served by a transmitting station, known as a cellsite or base station. The radio network provides wireless communicationsservice for a plurality of transceivers (in most cases mobile). Thenetwork of base stations working in collaboration allows for wirelessservice which is greater than the radio coverage provided by a singleserving base station. The individual base stations are connected byanother network (in many cases a wired network), which includesadditional controllers for resource management and in some cases accessto other network systems (such as the Internet) or MANs.

In LTE there are two distinct types of base stations: eNodeB (eNB), andHome eNodeB (HNB). In prior cellular networks, the network of basestations was owned and or controlled by a single network operatorentity. The 3GPP has introduced a new network element known as “HomeNode B” (ORB). A Home Base Station (or Home NodeB, or Home eNodeB in3GPP terminology) is a base station optimized for use in residential,corporate, or similar environments (e.g., private homes, publicrestaurants, small offices, enterprises, hospitals, etc., and hence theterm “home” is not meant to be limiting to residential applications). Inthe present context, the terms “Home Base Station”, “Home NodeB” (forUMTS), “Home eNodeB” (for LTE) refer generally to a “femtocell”. In thepresent context, the terms base station, “NodeB”, and “eNodeB” (for LTE)refer generally to a “macrocell”.

Long Term Evolution (LTE) Paging Methods

The current LTE specification defines several flexible multiple accessmethods to improve transmission over the air interface to increasepotential transmission rates. LTE specifies Orthogonal FrequencyDivision Multiple Access (OFDMA) in combination with Time DivisionMultiple Access (TDMA) for downlink access. This hybrid access techniquesubsequently also called OFDMA/TDMA, is a multi-carrier multiple accessmethod in which a subscriber is provided with a defined number ofsubcarriers in the frequency spectrum and a defined transmission timefor the purpose of data transmission. LTE further specifies SC-FDMA(Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) in combination withTDMA for uplink access. Furthermore, LTE supports full-duplex FDD(frequency division duplexing), half-duplex FDD and TDD (time divisionduplexing). Lastly, LTE supports scalable bandwidth segments of onepoint four (1.4), three (3), five (5), ten (10), fifteen (15) and twenty(20) MHz.

Briefly, FIGS. 1A-1D summarize basic multiple access methods wellunderstood in the wireless transmission arts, and used throughout thisdisclosure. In these figures, it will be recognized that time increasesin the direction of a time axis (t), and frequency increases in thedirection of a frequency axis (F).

FIG. 1A comprises a first time-frequency diagram illustrating a TDMA(time division multiple access) system. In TDMA, each mobile radioterminal may use the whole frequency band provided for the usage by themobile radio terminals. However, for each mobile radio device, only apredefined transmission time interval (TTI) is allocated in which themobile radio device may send and receive useful data. During atransmission time interval 102, only one mobile radio device is activein a radio cell.

FIG. 1B comprises a second time-frequency diagram illustrating a FDMA(frequency division multiple access) system. In FDMA, each mobile radiodevice may freely use the time domain, but only a predefined (narrow)frequency band 104 within the entire frequency band is available forsending and receiving useful data. Only one mobile radio device isactive in each narrow frequency band of the radio cell at any giventime.

FIG. 1C comprises a third time-frequency diagram illustrating a CDMA(code division multiple access) system. In CDMA (a sub-species ofso-called “direct sequence” or DS systems), each mobile radio terminalmay send and receive useful data during any time period, and may use theentire available frequency band. In order to avoid interference betweenthe data sent by different senders, each mobile radio device isallocated a binary pseudo-noise code pattern 106. The code patternswhich are allocated to the different mobile radio terminals are ideallyorthogonal, and data sent by a mobile radio terminal or to be receivedby the mobile radio terminal is coded (“spread”) by the code patternallocated to the mobile radio terminal.

FIG. 1D illustrates an OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multipleaccess) system in combination with TDMA. OFDMA is a special case of FDMAand is a multiple carrier method in which the entire frequency bandhaving a bandwidth B is subdivided into M orthogonal sub-carriers 108.Thus, there are M (narrow) frequency bands each with a bandwidth ofF=B/M. In OFDMA, a data stream to be sent is divided over a multiplicityof sub-carriers, and is transmitted (generally) in parallel. The datarate of each sub-carrier is accordingly lower than the overall datarate. For each mobile radio terminal, a defined number of sub-carriers108 are allocated for data transmission. A chief advantage of OFDMA'sflexible time-frequency resource allocation, over e.g., CDMA's flexiblecode allocation, is a higher spectral efficiency (i.e., more bits perunit time per unit of frequency bandwidth).

In LTE, downlink access based on OFDMA/TDMA data streams is subdividedin time to constant time intervals, or frames. Each frame is furthersubdivided into slots, and subframes. Not all subframes need to be inuse (the network could be underutilized), but a subframe is the smallestincremental amount of time to be used for data transmission/receptionwith the transceivers. Once a transceiver has acquired the base stationtiming, subframes are allocated to each transceiver with a schedulingfunction.

FIG. 2 illustrates the aforementioned full-duplex FDD, half-duplex FDDand TDD according to the prior art. Full-duplex FDD uses two separatefrequency bands for uplink 222 and downlink 220 transmissions, whereboth transmissions can occur simultaneously. Unlike FDD, TDD uses thesame frequency band for transmission in both uplink 222 and downlink220; however within a given time frame, the direction of transmission isswitched alternatively between the downlink 220 and uplink 222. Halfduplex FDD uses two separate frequency bands for uplink 222 and downlink220 transmissions, similar to full-duplex FDD, but uplink and downlinktransmissions are non-overlapping in time (similar to TDD).

LTE networks utilize a standard frame structure type 1 (one) 350 (asshown in FIG. 3) which is used in both full-duplex and half-duplex FDD.Each radio frame 352 is ten (10) ms in duration, and consists of twenty(20) slots 354 in 0.5 ms length intervals, numbered from 0 to 19. Asubframe 356 is defined as two (2) consecutive slots 354. For FDD, ten(10) subframes are available for downlink transmission and ten (10)subframes are available for uplink transmissions in each ten (10) msinterval. Uplink and downlink transmissions are separated in thefrequency domain. Depending on the slot format, a subframe consists offourteen (14) or twelve (12) OFDMA symbols in downlink, and fourteen(14) or twelve (12) SC-FDMA symbols in uplink, respectively. Details offrame structure and timing are described in 3GPP TS 36.211 entitled“E-UTRA—Physical channels and modulation”, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the paging timing 400 of UMTS W-CDMA operatingin FDD mode is shown and described in detail. The UE monitors the PagingIndicator Channel (PICH) 402 at defined time instants (i.e. radio framesof length 10 ms). A pre-assigned paging identifier indicates (to thepaged UE) that a paging message is pending on the secondary pagingchannel. Responsive to receiving its paging identifier, the UE thendecodes the Secondary Common Control Physical Channel 404 (S-CCPCH)which follows the PICH at a fixed time distance prcH (in an example,τ_(PICH)=7680 chips=2 ms). The time distance is measured from when thePICH channel 402 is received. In the frequency-domain, the PICH andS-CCPCH are transmitted over the entire downlink bandwidth of 5 MHz.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a two-stage paging mechanism 500 (similar toUMTS W-CDMA) is illustrated for LTE networks. The UE monitors thePhysical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCHI) 502 at defined time instants(i.e., defined subframes of length 1 ms). A paging identifier isassigned to the UE by the network. When the assigned paging identifieris detected on the PDCCH, the UE decodes the associated PhysicalDownlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) 504. As shown, the PDCCH is transmittedin subframe #i+2; occupying one (1), two (2), or three (3) OFDMA symbolsof the first slot, where the number of symbols is dynamically adjustedby network. The PDSCH 504 is transmitted in the remainder of subframe#i+2, and occupies the OFDMA symbols in the subframe that are not usedby the PDCCH.

FIG. 6 is a graphical illustration of one exemplary schedule of thetwo-stage paging mechanism 600, shown with respect to frequency andtime. In the frequency domain, the PDCCH is transmitted over the entiredownlink bandwidth of the cell, whereas the PDSCH is transmitted onlyover a definite number of Resource Blocks (RB) (a RB corresponds totwelve (12) subcarriers) within the downlink bandwidth of the cell.

Methods

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, exemplary embodiments of the generalizedmethods of generating and receiving paging modes according to theinvention are described.

In one exemplary embodiment, paging modes in a cellular radio system areselected for use, according to a plurality of different modes based on avariety of network parameters. Specifically, as shown in the method 700of FIG. 7, the BS identifies one or more controlling network parametersper step 702. In some embodiments, the controlling network parametersmay be maintained in a localized database of the BS (or a connectednetwork entity). In alternate embodiments, the parameters may beretrieved or messaged to the BS from a centralized network controller.The network parameters may be related to known network capabilities;however in some scenarios, the BS may be required to query or receive UEinformation dynamically (e.g., periodically or in response to theoccurrence of a particular event).

Exemplary network parameters useful with the method of FIG. 7 mightcomprise for example (and without limitation): (i) total cell bandwidth(i.e., for the cell under consideration), (ii) level of bandwidthfragmentation, and/or (iii) one or more characteristics of thepopulation of UEs (e.g., capabilities of devices such as radio frequency(“RF”) capabilities of the UEs, total devices serviced and/or RRCconnection states), and any combination thereof. Moreover, support oflegacy devices may be weighted as being more or less important thansupport of more recent devices; this weighting may also be altereddynamically or based on other network conditions (e.g., legacy devicesare weighted more heavily in one circumstance such as time-of-day,fraction of total UE population, etc., and less heavily in another). Themultitude and complexity of interrelated network parameters can also beevaluated by the BS prior to determination of the optimal paging modes.The near limitless variety of network parameters that may be consideredas part of such analysis will be recognized by those of ordinary skillgiven the present disclosure.

At step 704, the BS determines one or more paging modes based at leastin part on the one or more determined network parameters describedabove. The plurality of paging transmission modes are in the exemplaryembodiment defined such that each transmission mode specifies theconfiguration of one or more particular UE operating parameters. Such UEoperating parameters may comprise for instance resource allocationsand/or paging mode types, as described in greater detail subsequentlyherein.

To this end, the present invention contemplates in one variant the useof a hierarchical or other weighting algorithm which can, inter alia,determine and assign the appropriate weighting for network parameters inthe determination of appropriate paging modes. For instance, a frequencyband supporting many users may be required to allocate a significantamount of bandwidth for paging channels, whereas a frequency band havingonly few users may allocate less bandwidth for paging, or vice versa. Ina similar vein, dedicated paging resources may be adaptively enlarged orshrunk to accommodate very dynamic subscriber demands (such as near ahigh mobility area; e.g., a train station, airport).

Network parameter analysis can be based on any number of paradigms;e.g., a running analysis of actual network activity, prior knowledge ofthe network activity (for example, that stored in memory, or distributedover the inter-cell communication network), etc. In this fashion, thebase station (BS) of the present invention can dynamically optimize theselection of paging modes it uses. This dynamic optimization may beconducted on a per-base station basis (i.e., each base station in effectdetermining its own paging operation), or also in a more concertedfashion (such as between a number of contiguous cells, or even thenetwork as a whole).

It will be appreciated that the network parameters such as thosereferenced above may change on a regular (e.g., periodic) or irregularbasis, or correlated with the occurrence of certain events. In certainperiodic instances, such as during peak hour operation, the BS mayexpect to devote more paging resources to handle increased call traffic.In other instances, the BS may simply detect that paging resources maybe required, such as at a train stop, or near an airport (e.g.,relatively a periodic operation, but with sudden drastic increases inradio connections such as when a train or airplane full of passengersarrives). These changes to the network parameters may be either detecteddirectly by the BS (e.g., the BS may determine that the amount of pagingmessages to be transmitted exceeds the capabilities of the currentallocation of paging resources, etc.) or alternately be messaged orsignaled to the BS from another entity within or external to thenetwork.

Resource allocation is highly advantageous when considering systemshaving fragmented frequency bands (i.e., cases where multiple frequencybands are being served by the same BS). For example, if legacy devicesare only capable of reception of a subset of the frequency bands, thentheir corresponding paging modes may be limited to that subset. Inaddition, the BS may choose to limit enhanced devices (or subsetsthereof) to only receive paging messages on an “enhanced devices only”or other designated frequency bands, thus maximizing spectral usage forboth legacy and enhanced devices. The possibilities forsharing/partitioning of frequency band(s) for paging messages in thecontext of flexible resource allocations are nearly limitless.

Resource allocations may include for example carrier frequencies, timeslots, or code channels dedicated for paging messages. In oneembodiment, the BS can specify the maximum bandwidth size of thefrequencies for the paging identifier and paging message. In anotherembodiment, the BS can specify the times or subframes that the pagingidentifier and paging message are transmitted. In certain embodiments,the resulting paging schedule for each of the resultant pagingtransmission modes does not overlap in time or frequency with othermodes.

Furthermore, paging mode types may define methods for how and whenpaging messages are received by the UE. For instance, the BS may selecta first method for paging message delivery for connected UEs (e.g., RRC“connected” state), and a second method for paging message delivery foridle (e.g., RRC “idle” state) UEs. Additionally, the BS may select oneor more of a plurality of methods for paging indication delivery forvarious services, or for various UE types, dependent upon otherUE-specific parameters.

For example, a UE which is operating with an active radio link mayreceive a plurality of specifically addressed paging indications, eachcorresponding to various services, or network notifications. Suchtargeted delivery requires some amount of UE processing, but ensuresthat minimal additional network bandwidth is consumed for administrativeneeds. Conversely, UEs which are idle may only periodically monitor forpaging indications, thus their paging indications may be broadcast tominimize power consumption (e.g., the UE only receives simple “flags”,and does not need to fully process the paging channel).

In an alternate embodiment, the BS “community” (i.e., two or moredesignated BSs that cooperate) can directly communicate among oneanother to exchange paging configurations. Such communications can occurover literally any type of communications or network interface, whetherwired or wireless, and ideally is supported via extant communicationchannels between the base stations that support operation of thecellular network. Such embodiments may be particularly useful withfemtocell operation, wherein only a portion of the network (e.g. masternetwork) may have access to the network parameters. In such embodiments,the femtocell may directly receive either the network parameters fromthe network, or conversely, may receive the determined output pagingconfigurations.

Furthermore, the level of possible/meaningful information exchangebetween base stations may be adjusted. For instance, the network mayallow a femtocell to provide various degrees of paging indications, suchas to enable specific optional services (e.g. advertising, fleettracking, etc.). Alternatively, femtocell paging state machines may besignificantly simplified, to allow legacy device interoperation. Lastly,some services may always be supported such as emergency calls; in suchembodiments a BS which does not support legacy devices, may still berequired to support legacy emergency calls.

At step 706, the BS signals the paging modes to one or more UE devices.In one embodiment, this is accomplished via a broadcast to all UEs(i.e., to all UEs currently located in the cell via system information).In an alternate embodiment, the BS may signal the UE via a dedicatedmessage (e.g., via an RRC connection). In one variant, the pagingtransmission modes are pre-designated in the system, and a modeidentifier is signaled (rather than signaling each of the variousoperating parameters individually).

Referring now to FIG. 7A, one implementation-specific embodiment of thegeneralized method of generating paging modes of FIG. 7 is described.

As shown in the method 720 of FIG. 7A, at step 722, the BS identifiesfour (4) distinct frequency bands which can be used for serviceprovision based on its current location. The BS furthermore (e.g., afterconsultation with a Core Network) selects only two (2) of the frequencybands, to provide a first basic service (e.g. voice), and a secondaugmented service (e.g. data).

At step 724, the BS identifies the population of UEs which supportenhanced operation. At this step, the BS may query the core network orthe UEs to establish the population capabilities. If the BS determinesthat a portion of the population of UEs supports enhanced operation (andthat such operation is advantageous), then the BS initiates anoptimization algorithm of step 726.

At step 726, the BS determines several paging schedules. For example,one such paging schedule might involve paging notifications for thelegacy devices that will be transmitted on all legacy frequency bands,with a subset of the frequency bands and time slots reserved forenhanced device paging. Consequently, the new paging mode will enablethe BS and UEs to efficiently utilize spectrum (i.e., by recapturingresources which would otherwise be wasted on paging), whilesimultaneously minimizing UE power consumption (by minimizing theresources necessary for paging channel reception).

At step 728, the BS updates the enhanced UEs with appropriate pagingschedules via a broadcast or particularly addressed message (e.g.,delivered over the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH)), so thatthe enhanced UEs may adjust their operation accordingly.

At step 730, the BS receives confirmation from the UEs, indicating theirappropriate paging configuration.

Referring now to the method 850 of FIG. 8, a UE receives an indicationof the paging modes applicable to its serving BS per step 852. In oneembodiment, this is accomplished via reception of a predefined broadcastvia system information. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the UEreceives an indication of the paging modes via a dedicated message(e.g., via RRC connection).

At step 854, the UE determines (or is instructed as to) the appropriatemethod of paging operation. In one embodiment (“UP passive” mode), theUE is directly assigned a paging mode of operation by the base station.In one such variant, the UE receives a message assigning to it a pagingmode of operation. In another such variant, the UE receives a messageassigning a default paging mode of operation. Default modes of operationmay be necessary to ensure at least a minimal level of backwardcompatibility for user populations which include some portion of legacyUEs.

In an alternative embodiment (“UE active” mode), the UE is allowed toselect one or more paging modes of operation from the network. In onesuch variant, the UE identifies its preferred paging mode based onconsiderations such as application requirements, processor capabilities,power consumption (e.g., desired consumption rate, remaining batterylife, etc.), supported modem options, etc.

In another such embodiment (“UE cooperative” mode), the UE and basestation actively negotiate for mutually beneficial paging modeoperation.

It will further be recognized that the UE may be configured to determineits paging mode statically, or alternatively it may dynamically orperiodically revisit its paging mode assignment or determination. In onesuch “static” embodiment, the UE may peruse the paging mode options, andset its paging mode once. In one “dynamic” embodiment, the UE mayperiodically or based on situation peruse the paging mode options, andset its paging mode based on one or more dynamic system requirements.

In another similar embodiment, the UE may peruse the supported pagingmodes in response to internal requirements for applications. In one suchcase, the UE may enter a low power mode operation (e.g., sleep mode)>andadjust its paging mode to the minimal paging update mode supported bythe network. In contrast, during high speed operation (e.g., as within avehicle) or other modes requiring more frequent updates, the UE mayupgrade its paging mode to the most frequent paging updates availablefrom that BS.

At step 856 of the method 850, the UE updates its internal operatingprotocol, and configures its corresponding radio interface to beginreceiving paging notifications in accordance with the determined pagingmode. In one such embodiment, the UE updates an internal scheduleidentifying times and frequency bands for discontinuous reception (DRX)operation. DRX operation is generally well known throughout the cellulararts; the UE and the network negotiate phases in which data transferhappens—otherwise the receiver turns off and enters a low power state.See, inter alia, “Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); UEProcedures in Idle Mode and Procedures for Cell Reselection in ConnectedMode”, 3GPP TS 25.304 version 5.1.0, and “Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS); UTRAN Iu interface RANAP signaling”,3GGP TS 25.413 version 5.1.0, each of the foregoing being incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety, for additional information on DRXwithin a UMTS network.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, one implementation-specific embodiment of thegeneralized method of receiving paging modes according to the FIG. 8 isdescribed.

As shown in the method 870 of FIG. 8A, at step 872, a UE enabledaccording to the present invention initializes itself in the legacyoperation. Once this UE has established itself on the network via commonregistration methods, the UE checks to see if the serving BS providesenhanced paging channel operation. If the BS provides paging channeloperation, then the UE identifies itself (and optionally itscapabilities) to the BS.

At step 874, the UE receives a broadcast or other paging message whichindicates an appropriate paging schedule.

At step 876, the UE determines its preferred paging schedule. Forexample, the UE may decide that it would prefer to operate in enhancedoperation, to save on power consumption.

At step 878, the UE confirms to the BS that it is operating within thespecified paging configuration.

At step 880, the UE adjusts its paging reception. For example, the UEmay adjust its receiver according to one or more times and one or morefrequency bands available for discontinuous reception (DRX); e.g., toonly receive the fourth subframe, of every frame of the second frequencyband, or another such scheme.

Exemplary Serving Base Station Apparatus

Referring now to FIG. 9, one embodiment of serving base stationapparatus 900 useful in implementing the methods of the presentinvention is illustrated. The base station apparatus 900 comprises oneor more substrate(s) 908 that further include a plurality of integratedcircuits including a processing subsystem 905 such as a digital signalprocessor (DSP), microprocessor, gate array, or plurality of processingcomponents as well as a power management subsystem 906 that providespower to the base station 900. As used herein, the term “integratedcircuit (IC)” refers to any type of device having any level ofintegration (including without limitation ULSI, VLSI, and LSI) andirrespective of process or base materials (including, without limitationSi, SiGe, CMOS and GaAs). ICs may include, for example, memory devices(e.g., DRAM, SRAM, DDRAM, EEPROM/Flash, and ROM), digital processors,SoC devices, FPGAs, ASICs, ADCs, DACs, transceivers, memory controllers,and other devices, as well as any combinations thereof.

The embodiment of the apparatus 900 shown in FIG. 9 at a high levelcomprises a modem circuit configured to indicate one or more pagingmodes of operation to the wireless network, and transmit paging messagesin accordance with the one or more selected paging modes of operation.The modem subsystem comprises a digital baseband 904, analog baseband903, and RF components for RX 901 and TX 902. While multiple subsystemsare illustrated, it is appreciated that future developments mayconsolidate the modem subsystem, in whole or in part.

The processing subsystem 905 may comprise a plurality of processors (ormulti-core processorts)). As used herein, the term “processor” is meantgenerally to include all types of digital processing devices including,without limitation, digital signal processors (DSPs), reducedinstruction set computers (ISC), general-purpose (CISC) processors,microprocessors, gate arrays (e.g., FPGAs), PLDs, reconfigurable computefabrics (RCFs), array processors, secure microprocessors, andapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Such digitalprocessors may be contained on a single unitary IC die, or distributedacross multiple components.

Additionally, the processing subsystem also comprises a cache tofacilitate processing operations. In the illustrated embodiment theprocessing subsystem additionally comprises functional subsystems ormodules for: (i) determining network parameters, (ii) determining pagingmodes, and distributing paging modes to UEs. These subsystems may beimplemented in software, firmware and/or hardware, and are logicallyand/or physically coupled to the processing subsystem. As used herein,the terms “software” and “computer program” are meant to include anysequence or human or machine cognizable steps which perform a function.Such program may be rendered in virtually any programming language orenvironment.

Alternatively, in another variant, the subsystems or modules may bedirectly coupled to the transmitter of the subsystem. The illustratedembodiment of the apparatus logically connects the network determinationsubsystem, the paging mode determination subsystem, and the UE pagingmanagement subsystem.

In one embodiment, the network determination subsystem comprises adatabase or memory structure localized within the apparatus 900 adaptedto store one or more network parameters. In alternate embodiments, thesubsystem may comprise one or more interfaces to a centralized networkcontroller, adapted for receiving messages comprising one or morenetwork parameters. In yet another embodiment, the network parametersmay be related properties which are queried or received from userequipment dynamically (e.g., UE paging mode capabilities).

The paging mode determination subsystem may include for examplemonitoring apparatus for network activity, or memory apparatus adaptedto store knowledge of the network activity. The input network parametersare provided to an optimization engine (e.g., algorithm) for dynamicallyoptimizing the selection of paging modes. It will be appreciated thatthe network parameters may change on a regular or irregular basis; thus,the optimization engine may be run in response to corresponding changesif desired. Furthermore, the paging mode determination subsystem mayadditionally include one or more interfaces adapted to exchangeinformation with neighboring base stations or other network entities.

The UE paging management subsystem includes in one embodiment apparatusfor broadcasting paging modes to all or a subset of the UEs (i.e., toall UEs currently located in the cell as determined by their systeminformation). In an alternate embodiment, the BS is configured todirectly address a paging mode to a particular UE via a dedicatedmessage (e.g. RRC connection).

The processing subsystem 905 is preferably connected to a memorysubsystem 907. As used herein, the term “memory” includes any type ofintegrated circuit or other storage device adapted for storing digitaldata including, without limitation, ROM, PROM, EEPROM, DRAM, SDRAM,DDR/2 SDRAM, EDO/FPMS, RLDRAM, SKAM, “flash” memory (e.g., NAND/NOR),and PSRAM. The memory subsystem of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9comprises a direct memory access (DMA), operational random access memory(RAM), and non-volatile memory.

Exemplary UE Apparatus

Referring now to FIG. 10, exemplary client or UE apparatus 1000 usefulin implementing the methods of the present invention is illustrated. Asused herein, the terms “client” and “UE” include, but are not limited tocellular telephones, smartphones (such as for example an iPhone™),personal computers (PCs), such as for example an iMac™, Mac Pro™, MacMini™ or MacBook™, and minicomputers, whether desktop, laptop, orotherwise, as well as mobile devices such as handheld computers, PDAs,personal media devices (PMDs), such as for example an iPod™ or anycombinations of the foregoing. The configuration of paging modereception is preferably performed in software, although firmware and/orhardware embodiments are also envisioned; this apparatus is describedsubsequently herein with respect to FIG. 10.

The CE apparatus 1000 comprises a processor subsystem 1005 such as adigital signal processor, microprocessor, field-programmable gate array,or plurality of processing components mounted on one or more substrates1008. The processing subsystem may also comprise an internal cachememory. The processing subsystem 1005 is connected to a memory subsystem1007 comprising memory which may for example, comprise SIMM flash andSDRAM components. The memory subsystem may implement one or a more ofDMA type hardware, so as to facilitate data accesses as is well known inthe art. In the illustrated embodiment, the processing subsystemadditionally comprises subsystems or modules for: receiving indicationsof paging modes, determining appropriate paging modes, and configuringthe modem. These subsystems may be implemented in software or hardwarewhich is coupled to the processing subsystem. Alternatively, in anothervariant, the subsystems may be directly coupled to the digital baseband.The illustrated embodiment logically or physically couples the pagingmode reception subsystem, the paging mode determination subsystem, andthe modem configuration subsystem, although other architectures may beused.

An exemplary UE decodes a message from the BS, the message instructingthe UE to set or change paging modes via a paging mode message. Thus,the paging mode reception subsystem or module may additionally include amemory for retrieving paging mode configurations that are pre-stored.Alternatively (or additionally), the paging mode reception subsystem mayinclude an interface for receiving paging mode indications, which aredirectly messaged to the UE.

In one embodiment, the paging mode determination subsystem includes oneor more processing elements adapted to identify its preferred pagingmode based on considerations such as application requirements, processorcapabilities, power consumption, supported modem options, etc. Inanother embodiment, the paging mode determination subsystem includes oneor more apparatus suited for exchanging and negotiating one or morepaging parameters with the network.

The modem configuration subsystem comprises in one embodiment aninternal schedule identifying times and frequency bands fordiscontinuous reception (DRX). In alternate embodiments, the modemconfiguration subsystem 1005 may comprise one or more internal programsadapted to adjust paging mode operation by restricting paging receptionto a subset of physical resources (e.g., time slots, frequency bands,etc.)

The radio/modem subsystem comprises a digital baseband 1004, analogbaseband 1003, TX frontend 1002 and RX: frontend 1001. The apparatus1000 further comprises an antenna assembly; the selection component maycomprise a plurality of switches for enabling various antennaoperational modes, such as for specific frequency ranges, or specifiedtime slots. While specific architecture is discussed, in someembodiments, some components may be obviated or may otherwise be mergedwith one another (such as RF RX, RF TX and ABB combined, as of the typeused for 3G digital RFs) as would be appreciated by one of ordinaryskill in the art given the present disclosure.

The analog baseband 1003 typically controls operation of the radiofrontends therefore; the digital baseband modem 1004 loads the analogbaseband 1003 with parameters for the reception of paging messages. Theselection component may be controlled by the analog baseband 1003 toreceive paging messages to offload such controlling functions from thedigital baseband modem.

The illustrated power management subsystem (PMS) 1006 provides power tothe UE, and may comprise an integrated circuit and or a plurality ofdiscrete electrical components. In one exemplary portable UE apparatus,the power management subsystem 1006 advantageously interfaces with abattery.

The user interface system 1010 comprises any number of well-known I/Oincluding, without limitation: a keypad, touch screen, LCD display,backlight, speaker, and microphone. However, it is recognized that incertain applications, one or more of these components may be obviated.For example, PCMCIA card type UE embodiments may lack a user interface(as they could piggyback onto the user interface of the device to whichthey are physically and/or electrically coupled).

The apparatus 1000 further comprises optional additional peripherals1009 including, without limitation, one or more GPS transceivers, ornetwork interfaces such as IrDA ports, Bluetooth transceivers, USB,Firewire, etc. It is however recognized that these components are notnecessarily required for operation of the UE in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

Exemplary LTE Network

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary LTE-A network. Coverage of the cell1102 is provided by a base station 900 (e.g. LTE-A eNodeB). The eNodeBsupports direct connections to/from either LTE-A UEs 1000, or legacy LTEUEs 1106. Relay nodes 1104 (referred to as NodeRs) may be readilydeployed in the cell for providing additional coverage at cell-edges orcoverage holes. UEs can communicate with the eNodeB in the uplink anddownlink directions through the intermediate NodeRs.

FIG. 12 illustrates the high-level network architecture for LTE usefulfor, inter alia, implementing the paging mechanism methodologiesdescribed subsequently herein. As shown in FIG. 12, an LTE system 1250comprises the radio access network E-UTRAN 1252 (Evolved UMTSTerrestrial Radio Access Network) and the core network EPC 1254 (EvolvedPacket Core). The E-UTRAN 1252 comprises a plurality of base transceiverstations, eNodeB (eNBs) 900. The eNB 900 is connected in the exemplaryembodiment to the EPC 1254 (Evolved Packet Core) which comprises the MME(Mobility Management Entity) and the Serving Gateway (S-GW) 1256. TheMME is responsible for controlling the mobility of UEs located in thecoverage area of E-UTRAN 1252, while the S-GW is responsible forhandling the transmission of user data between UEs and network. Detailsof the radio access network and air interface for LTE systems aredescribed in, inter alia, 3GPP Technical Specification TS 36.300entitled “E-UTRA and E-UTRAN; Overall description; Stage 2”, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As shown, the invention enabled eNB 900 provides radio service (e.g.voice, data, etc.) for one or more invention enabled UEs 1000 withinE-UTRAN 1252 by establishing a Radio Resource Connection (RRC). The RRCof the UMTS LTE protocol stack (see FIG. 13) simplifies the controlplane signaling between the UEs 1000 and eNB 900. The RRC comprises asimple state machine 1300 which performs connection establishment andrelease.

Two connection states of interest are specified in the RRC protocollayer: RRC_IDLE 1302 and RRC_CONNECTED 1304 of the UMTS LTE protocolstack. See for example, 3GPP Technical Specification TS 36.331 entitled“E-UTRA Radio Resource Control (RRC)”, incorporated herein by referencein its entirety. The RRC connection is defined as a point-to-pointbidirectional connection between RRC peer entities in the UE and eNodeB,respectively. In connected mode, there is only one RRC connectionbetween a UE and eNodeB (a UE does not maintain multiple RRCconnections). In idle mode, there is no RRC connection between the UEand eNodeB. In LTE, the paging channel provides different informationfor each connection state.

In the RRC_CONNECTED state 1304, the NE 1000 and eNodeB 900 activelyhandle radio resource allocations. Network controlled mobility isperformed by explicit handover and cell change orders. The eNodeB mustmaintain/update UE position, at the cell area level. The UE activelyacquires system information which is broadcast in the radio cell.Transmission of user and control data in uplink and downlink occursduring the RRC_CONNECTED state. The RRC protocol layer is responsiblefor broadcasting system level information, and for maintainingconnection layer bi-directional control. The UE acquires systeminformation which is broadcast in the radio cell and monitors pagingchannels to receive notification about modification of systeminformation.

In the RRC_IDLE 1302 state, no radio resources are dedicated to the UE1000 by the eNodeB 900. During the RRC_IDLE state, the UE performs avariety of functions necessary for radio link management, such as cellselection/reselection, monitoring of paging channels, and acquiringsystem information broadcast in the radio cell. In this state, the MMEin EPC 1256 maintains the UE position, known by the network at a“tracking area” level. A tracking area defines a group of cells wherethe UE is paged during incoming communication attempt.

At power-up, the UE is in RRC_IDLE 1302 During RRC_IDLE operation, thereis no transmission of user and control data in either uplink ordownlink. Two state changes for establishment 1306, and release 1308 ofan RRC connection are used by the system. These state changes are underthe control of eNodeB 900 and may be triggered by various eventsincluding notifications which are broadcast on the paging channel.

Exemplary LTE-A Configurable Paging Mode Operation

Referring now back to FIG. 11, an exemplary deployment scenario usefulfor illustrating various embodiments of the present invention comprisesan LTE network cell provided by an LTE-A eNodeB 900, in communicationwith a mixed population of UEs (e.g. invention enabled LTE-A UEs 1000,and legacy LTE UEs 1106). The eNodeB supports direct connections betweenLTE UE1 11106 and LTE-A UE3 1000. Connections from the eNodeB to LTE UE21106 and LTE-A UE4 1000 are supported through intermediate NodeR1 1104and NodeR2 1104.

FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 illustrate sample characteristics for the exemplaryLTE-A eNodeB 900 of FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a graphical illustration of thefrequency allocations for the uplink and downlink transmissions, denotedas f1 through f6. The LTE-A UE3 1000 and UE4 1000 support a maximum RFtransmission/reception bandwidth of twenty (20) MHz, and are operated inthe aggregated twenty-five (25) MHz uplink bands characterized by thecarrier frequencies f1 and f2, and in the aggregated ninety (90) MHzdownlink bands characterized by the carrier frequencies f3 to f6.

FIG. 15 is a graphical illustration of exemplary subframe allocationsfor paging messages. Depending on their individual settings, LTE-A UE31000 and UE4 1000 can monitor any number of the subfraames zero (0),four (4), five (5), and nine (9) of corresponding paging frames. Thesepaging configurations are further graphically depicted in FIG. 16.

The following Table 1 summarizes the aforementioned embodiment of thepaging transmission modes configurations selected by the LTE-A eNodeB,and signaled to all UEs located in the cell:

TABLE 1 DRX cycle Max Carrier of paging BW Mode Frequency subframes(MHz) Valid States 1 f3 Frame #i + 4 20 MHz RRC_IDLE, SubframesRRC_CONNECTED #0, #4, #5, #9 2 f4 Frame #i + 9 10 MHz RRC_CONNECTEDSubframes #0, #4, #5, #9 3 f5 Frame #i + 19 20 MHz RRC_CONNECTEDSubframes #0, #4, #5, #9 4 f6 Frame #i + 26 10 MHz RRC_CONNECTEDSubframes #0, #4, #5, #9

Illustrative Scenario 1:

Referring to the LTE-A enabled UF3 1000 of FIG. 11, UE3 1000 has anactive connection with eNB 900 and is in the RRC_CONNECTED 1304 state.User and control data are transmitted in both the uplink and downlinkdirections. UE3 is operated in the downlink frequency band characterizedby carrier frequency f5. UE3 monitors the PDCCH and PDSCH as configuredby paging transmission mode three (3) 1602 (FIG. 16) to receivenotifications about modifications to system information. Accordingly,the UE monitors frequency band f5 at radio frame #i+19 (subframes #0,#4, #5 and #9) within each DRX cycle of thirty-two (32) radio frames todetermine whether its paging identifier is being transmitted via thePhysical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). The eNodeB broadcasts pagingmessages (e.g. PDCCH and PDSCH) with a maximum bandwidth of twenty (20)MHz around the carrier frequency f5. If the U-E detects its assignedpaging identifier on the PDCCH, the UE decodes the associated PhysicalDownlink Shared Channel (PDSCH).

Illustrative Scenario 2:

In another example scenario, LTE-A UE4 1000 has no active connectionwith the eNodeB 900 and is in the RRC_IDLE 1302 state. UE4 is currentlyoperated in the downlink frequency band of carrier frequency f3. UE4monitors the PDCCH and PDSCH as configured by paging transmission modeone (1) 1604 (FIG. 16) so as to receive notification about incomingcalls or modification of system information. The UE monitors frequencyband f3 at radio frame #i+4 (subframes #0, #4, #5 and #9) within eachDRX cycle of t two (32) radio frames to determine whether its pagingidentifier is transmitted via the Physical Downlink Control Channel(PDCCH). The eNodeB broadcasts paging messages (e.g. PDCCH and PDSCH)with a maximum bandwidth of twenty (20) MHz around the carrier frequencyf3. If the UE detects its assigned paging identifier on the PDCCH, theUE decodes the associated Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH).

Business Methods and Rules

It will be recognized that the foregoing network apparatus andmethodologies may be readily adapted to varous business models. In onesuch model, a service provider/network operator may sell, lease, orfreely provide (i.e., at no cost, as an incentive) anenhanced-capability femtocell. A femtocell augments the serviceprovider's existing network of base stations by connecting to theservice provider's network via a broadband interface (such as DSL, T1,ISDN, or DOCSIS cable modem). Femtocells are designed for self-containeddeployment. The relative cost and simplicity of operation allows anon-technical audience (i.e., residential, enterprise, or other suchusers) to purchase and operate femtocells. The ad hoc nature offemtocell deployment is greatly improved with flexible spectrum usageand spectrum sharing, as well as intercell interference managementprovided by one or more aspects of the present invention. In oneexample, a feitocell may freely configure its paging mechanisms tominimally disrupt existing paging mechanisms by operating within unusedor underutilized portions of spectrum.

In another business paradigm, appropriately enabled user equipment(e.g., UE 1000) may receive enhanced paging messages, and mayefficiently monitor existing paging channels, thus increasing theoverall perceived quality of experience. In one such embodiment, adedicated subset of paging channels are allocated to enabled UEs. Thuswhile, legacy devices continue to broadly monitor all paging channels(in a comparatively inefficient manner), enabled devices 1000 onlymonitor the designated subset of paging channels. This approach ismarkedly more efficient, and drastically improves power consumption.

In an alternate embodiment, certain enhanced services (e.g. MultimediaBroadcast Multicast Service (MBMS)) may be continuously broadcastwithout an RRC connection. Typical broadcast services are not permanent,and once the broadcast finishes, the paging resources may be reclaimedby the network, without undue difficulty. Thus broadcast technologiesmay be improved by flexibly managing the notifications for such servicesvia the paging mechanisms of the invention.

The aforementioned network apparatus and methodologies may also bereadily adapted for operation in accordance with an underlying businessrules algorithm or “engine”. This business rules engine may comprise forexample a software application (and/or firmware or even hardwareaspects), and is implemented in one embodiment as a separate entity atthe Core Network, or alternatively within an existing entity residing atthe Core Network or other network management process (NMP). The rulesengine is in effect a high-layer supervisory process which aids thenetwork operator (or other interested party) in making operationaldecisions or resource allocations based on important criteria such asfinancial aspects, user experience enhancement, etc.

In one embodiment, the business rules engine is configured to take intoaccount the revenue and/or profit implications associated with providingresources to one or more users. Accordingly, the exemplary businessrules engine can modify the paging behaviors of the system to support awider base of users (e.g. increasing overall paging resources) oralternatively, a wider range of services (e.g. decreasing overall pagingresources).

For instance, in one example, evaluation of the requests from apopulation of users for resources (e.g., frequency spectrum) may includean analysis of the incremental cost, revenue, and/or profit associatedwith the various allocation options. In some cases, the network providermay determine that new service requests are uncommon, and thus paging isless important. In other cases, the network provider may determine thatnew users and services are frequently entering and exiting a cell, thusrequiring an allocation of more paging resources. These “business rules”may be imposed e.g., at time of resource request, and then maintainedfor a period of time (or until an event triggering a re-evaluationoccurs), or alternatively according to a periodic model.

Myriad other schemes for implementing dynamic allocation of resourceswill be recognized by those of ordinary skill given the presentdisclosure.

It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the invention aredescribed in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, thesedescriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of theinvention, and may be modified as required by the particularapplication. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional undercertain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality maybe added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance oftwo or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to beencompassed within the invention disclosed and claimed herein.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changesin the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Theforegoing description is of the best mode presently contemplated ofcarrying out the invention. This description is in no way meant to belimiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the generalprinciples of the invention. The scope of the invention should bedetermined with reference to the claims.

1. A method of providing paging channel access for a cellular network,the paging channel access being optimized for one or more networkparameters, comprising: allocating one or more resources for pagingchannel access based at least in part on the one or more networkparameters; providing a schedule for paging channel access to aplurality of user devices, the schedule identifying the allocated one ormore resources; and transmitting the schedule, the transmission enablingat least one of the user devices to configure its modem to receive theallocated one or more resources.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theproviding the schedule comprises broadcasting the schedule via a commoncontrol channel.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the schedule isparticularly addressed to only a subset of the plurality of userdevices.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein providing the schedulecomprises broadcasting the schedule via a dedicated control channel. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the act of allocating one or moreresources comprises limiting paging channel access to only one of: (i) atransmission time, (ii) a frequency band, or (iii) a spreading code. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein allocating one or more resourcescomprises limiting paging channel access to at least one of: (i) atransmission time, (ii) a frequency band, or (iii) a spreading code. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the network parameters comprise at leastone of: (i) total cell bandwidth, (ii) level of bandwidth fragmentation,and (iii) one or more characteristics of the plurality of user devices.8. A method of receiving one or more paging channel configurations by auser of a cellular network via at least a first message provided by thecellular network, the method comprising: receiving the first message ata user device; extracting a paging schedule from the first message;configuring a modem interface of the user device to receive one or morepaging channel notifications based at least in part on the schedule; andresponsive to receiving a paging channel notification, determining ifthe received paging channel notification is for the user.
 9. The methodof claim 8, wherein the paging schedule is received over a commoncontrol channel.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the schedule isparticularly addressed to only a subset of user devices in the network.11. The method of claim 10, wherein the paging schedule is received overa dedicated control channel.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein themethod is optimized for at least one of: (i) total cell bandwidth, (ii)level of bandwidth fragmentation, and (iii) one or more characteristicsof the plurality of user devices.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein theconfiguring of the modem interface comprises updating an internalschedule identifying one or more times and one or more frequency bandsavailable for discontinuous reception (DRY).
 14. Wireless base stationapparatus, comprising: a digital processor; a wireless interface in datacommunication with the processor; and a storage device in datacommunication with the processor, the storage device comprisingcomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by the digitalprocessor: determine a mode for paging channel transmissions based atleast in part on one or more wireless network parameters; transmitinformation relating to the mode via the wireless interface; andtransmit the paging channel transmission via the wireless interfacebased on the mode.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the wirelessnetwork comprises a cellular network, and the one or more wirelessnetwork parameters comprise at least one of: (i) total cellular cellbandwidth, (ii) level of bandwidth fragmentation, and (iii) one or morecharacteristics of a plurality of user devices associated with thenetwork.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the transmission of theinformation relating to the mode comprises transmission of theinformation addressed to only a subset of the plurality of user devices.17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the transmission of theinformation relating to the mode comprises transmission of theinformation addressed to the plurality of user devices via a cellularcommon control channel.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein thewireless network comprises a cellular network, and the one or morewireless network parameters comprise at least Radio Resource Connection(RRC) state.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatuscomprises an LTE-compliant macrocell base station.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the information relating to the mode comprises:information regarding a carrier frequency on which the pagingtransmission is to be transmitted; timing data according to which apaging identifier and a paging message are to be transmitted; andinformation relating to a bandwidth size of one or more channels onwhich a user device of the network may receive the paging identifier andpaging message.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the informationrelating to the mode further comprises Radio Resource Connection (RRC)state information.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the one ormore channels comprise a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and aPhysical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), and the paging identifier andpaging message are to be transmitted on the PDCCH and the PDSCH,respectively.
 23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the determinationof a mode for paging channel transmissions based at least in part on oneor more wireless network parameters comprises selecting one of aplurality of different modes, the plurality of modes being substantiallynon-overlapping in time and frequency with respect to one another. 24.Wireless receiver apparatus, comprising: a digital processor; a wirelessinterface in data communication with the digital processor; and astorage device in data communication with the processor, the storagedevice comprising at least one computer program which, when run on theprocessor: receives a schedule for paging channel transmissions;configures the wireless interface to receive one or more paging channelnotifications based at least in part on the received schedule; andresponsive to receiving a paging channel notification, determines if thefirst paging channel notification is addressed to the receiverapparatus.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the schedule isreceived via an interface different than the wireless interface.
 26. Theapparatus of claim 25, wherein the interface different than the wirelessinterface comprises a transceiver within the apparatus adapted toreceive wireless signals according to a protocol different than thatassociated with the wireless interface.
 27. The apparatus of claim 24,wherein the wireless receiver apparatus comprises a substantially mobilecellular smartphone.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the cellularsmartphone comprises a multi-touch screen user interface.
 29. The methodof claim 24, wherein the configuration of the wireless interfacecomprises updating an internal schedule identifying one or more timesand one or more frequency bands available for discontinuous reception(DRX).
 30. The method of claim 24, wherein the schedule comprises: afirst information identifying a carrier frequency on which the pagingchannel notification is to be transmitted; a first timing data accordingto which a paging identifier and a paging message are to be transmitted;and a second information relating to a bandwidth size of one or morechannels on which the receiver apparatus may receive the pagingidentifier and paging message.
 31. Computer readable apparatus having astorage medium comprising a plurality of computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by a digital processor: determine aschedule for paging channel transmissions based at least in part on oneor more wireless network parameters; cause transmission of the schedulevia a wireless interface associated with a host device on which theinstructions are executed; and cause transmission of the paging channelvia the wireless interface based on the schedule.
 32. A method of doingbusiness with respect to a cellular network, the method comprising:distributing a base station adapted for ad hoc deployment within thenetwork to a user of the network; and causing the base station toconfigure one or more paging mechanisms so as to minimally disruptexisting paging mechanisms associated with at least one other basestation within the network.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein theconfiguration of one or more paging mechanisms so as to minimallydisrupt existing paging mechanisms associated with at least one otherbase station comprises configuring the distributed base station tooperate substantially within unused or underutilized portions offrequency spectrum allocated to the network and used by the at least oneother base station.
 34. The method of claim 32, wherein the distributedbase station comprises a femtocell, and the at least one other basestation comprises a fixed macrocell base station.